The Daily

The Lady Killer

Bitter but supremely infectious, the summer internet hit “Fuck You” — a lewd little pop gem and one of the year’s best songs — anchors Cee Lo Green’s third solo album. You can thank the singer’s ability to turn surreal psychodrama into sensational pop music. Occasionally garish but always entertaining, Cee Lo got his start in the Atlanta rap crew Goodie Mob. He’s best known these days as the soul-belting half of Gnarls Barkley, but his music remains a rich source of funk, gospel, R&B, and rock. The Lady Killer continues his eclectic streak. Like Gnarls Barkley’s two albums, The Lady Killer mixes odd but accessible music with emotionally driven observations about life and love. Listen to “Satisfied,” which builds to a rush of grandeur usually reserved for Phil Spector devotees. The other dozen tracks, with their shuffling grooves and swelling orchestration, prove that even a mope like Cee Lo can have a good time once in a while. — M.T. Richards